Over the last three decades, generous British Columbians have donated millions of dollars to help food banks across the province feed families in need during the holiday season through CBC Vancouver's Open House & Food Bank Day.

Dec. 2 marked the 30th year for the event — and the need has never been greater.

Food bank use in B.C. is at a record high, with 103,400 people receiving assistance as of March 2016, according to Food Banks Canada's annual hunger count — that's a 3.4 per cent increase from 2015, and the third year in a row food bank use in the province has increased.